hold up
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle up
Meanings
Raise and keep raised
Why “up”? A person or thing moves from a lower place or position to a higher one.
“Hold up the sign so everyone can see it.”
“Hold up your ticket at the gate.”
Delay a person or process
Why “up”? An action, effort, relationship, or process stops, becomes weaker, or does not continue.
“Traffic held us up for an hour.”
“A missing form held up the payment.”
“The broken office computer held up Maya and Leo's presentation practice.”
Common mistake
Sorry, I was hold up in traffic.
Sorry, I was held up in traffic.
This is passive, so use the past participle held.
Natural collocations
The word partners “hold up” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Hold up means raise and keep raised. Hold down means keep someone or something restrained.
Test yourself
“Hold up the sign so everyone can see it.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
hold down
A contrast learners often mix up
Keep someone or something restrained
break up
Same up pattern: stopping
Break into pieces; End a relationship or gathering
call up
Same up pattern: upward
Telephone someone; Order someone to join military service; Display information on a screen or computer; Bring a memory or feeling vividly to mind; Select a player for a higher-level team
climb up
Same up pattern: upward
Ascend by gripping or stepping
close up
Same up pattern: stopping
Shut a shop or building, often at the end of the day; Move closer together so there is no gap; (of a wound or opening) heal or seal itself; Become silent or unwilling to share feelings
get up
Same up pattern: upward
Move from lying or sitting to an upright or standing position; Increase in strength
give up
Same up pattern: stopping
Stop trying; surrender; Stop doing or using something
hang up
Same up pattern: stopping
End a phone call
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “hold up”.
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